According to a sheriff's report, deputies first went to Signs' residence after receiving information that someone at the house had offered to share child pornography via the Internet.

Signs told deputies he downloads videos, but he denied downloading child pornography, the report stated. While at the house, detectives found one video file of child pornography on Signs' computer and multiple images of child erotica and animated child pornography, the report stated.

Signs is facing one count of possession of material depicting sexual conduct by a child, pending further investigation of the computer, the Sheriff's Office said.

The second search warrant was served at Bearden's residence.

According to the report, Bearden told detectives he "unintentionally downloaded" child pornography. He also implied viewing child pornography was a victimless crime because the files were available on the Internet and he did not believe the children were being "hurt" in the videos, the Sheriff's Office said.

Bearden is facing three counts of possession with intent to promote material depicting sexual conduct by a child and 40 counts of possession of material depicting sexual conduct by a child. He was also charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Further charges are pending a full forensic analysis, the Sheriff's Office said.

Both men were taken to the Polk County Jail.

[ Stephanie Allen can be reached at stephanie.allen@theledger.com or 863-802-7550. ]

<p>LAKELAND | Polk County sheriff's deputies arrested two men Thursday in separate incidents, both on child pornography charges. </p><p>Victor Signs Jr., 52, of 141 Fernery Road, Apt. D7, Lakeland, and Christopher Bearden, 36, of 2446 Riverwood Drive, Mulberry, were arrested after detectives executed search warrants at their houses.</p><p>According to a sheriff's report, deputies first went to Signs' residence after receiving information that someone at the house had offered to share child pornography via the Internet.</p><p>Signs told deputies he downloads videos, but he denied downloading child pornography, the report stated. While at the house, detectives found one video file of child pornography on Signs' computer and multiple images of child erotica and animated child pornography, the report stated.</p><p>Signs is facing one count of possession of material depicting sexual conduct by a child, pending further investigation of the computer, the Sheriff's Office said.</p><p>The second search warrant was served at Bearden's residence. </p><p>According to the report, Bearden told detectives he "unintentionally downloaded" child pornography. He also implied viewing child pornography was a victimless crime because the files were available on the Internet and he did not believe the children were being "hurt" in the videos, the Sheriff's Office said.</p><p>An onsite forensic preview of Bearden's computer yielded 40 videos depicting sexual conduct by a child, the report stated.</p><p>Bearden is facing three counts of possession with intent to promote material depicting sexual conduct by a child and 40 counts of possession of material depicting sexual conduct by a child. He was also charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to the Sheriff's Office.</p><p>Further charges are pending a full forensic analysis, the Sheriff's Office said.</p><p>Both men were taken to the Polk County Jail. </p><p>[ Stephanie Allen can be reached at stephanie.allen@theledger.com or 863-802-7550. ]</p>